Many turned up when the “Johan Kaggestad FanClub” had set up a torchlight train for Johan Kaggestad on Saturday.
There were both tears and smiles when the train with torches came walking up towards the Modunheimen nursing home in Åmot, where Kaggestad lives.
– It was very strong. It was strong in many ways, says a clearly moved Johan Kaggestad to TV 2.
Johan Kaggestad had his family by his side and clapped while music was played for him.
The popular man has been a prominent personality in both Norwegian cycling and Norwegian sports in general for a lifetime, but in recent years illness has made life difficult for the former coach, entrepreneur and TV 2 expert.
The 80-year-old has kidney failure and must have dialysis twice a week.
– It is moving forward, says Johan Kaggestad about his own form.
His son Mads Kaggestad agrees.
– I think fatter’n is in better shape now than a year ago. What makes him stay stable and that he thinks he is making progress, I think is primarily that he has a lot of people around him who care and stand up.
WE HAD VISITORS: Many people had turned up to pay tribute to Johan Kaggestad. Here with the family and the head of the fan club Eva Karlsen. Photo: Sveinung Kyte / TV 2.
It was the leader of the fan club, Eva Karlsen, who was the mastermind behind the torch train.
– Dear friends, dear Johan. We are so happy that we can gather here tonight and honor you for everything you have done for Norwegian sport and public health, said the fan club’s leader Eva Karlsen.
MOVING: Leader of the “Johan Kaggestad Fanclub”, Eva Karlsen, stands behind the torch train. Photo: Sveinung Kyte / TV 2.
TV 2’s cycling expert and son of Johan Kaggestad, Mads Kaggestad, thanked for the support from the podium.
– My father is incredibly moved, he thinks this is absolutely fantastic. He has been looking forward to this for a very long time, this means a lot to dad. Anyone who has known someone in a nursing home knows how much it means to have things to look forward to. Dad is lucky to have such a wonderful group behind him as you. He has friends and family, but the support he gets from everyone around him is absolutely enormous, said Mads Kaggestad.
– Even though my father doesn’t say much anymore, he gets everything. He incredibly appreciates all the attention he gets, and not least all the honor and credit he gets for the work he has done.
TORCH TRAIN: Many lined up for Johan Kaggestad on Saturday. Photo: Sveinung Kyte / TV 2.
Several reacted strongly when Kaggestad was not awarded the honorary award during this year’s sports gala.
– Unmusical and incomprehensible that Kaggestad was passed over again. Not to disparage Cato Zahl Pedersen, but he could have received the award another year, among other things VG’s commentator Leif Welhaven.
In 2012, Kaggestad was made a Knight of the French Order of Arts and Letters – for promoting French culture in Norway, particularly through the coverage of the Tour de France.